That was the story of the 2013 Trade Deadline for the Cleveland Indians yesterday.

In the previous two seasons, we’ve seen the Indians take two very different approaches at the deadline, and let’s just say that neither approach left the fan base all too enthused.

In 2011, Tribe General Manager Chris Antonetti made arguably the gutsiest move of his career when he decided to deal top pitching prospects Drew Pomeranz and Alex White as well as Joe Gardner and Matt McBride to the Colorado Rockies for right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez. Some applauded the move as it signaled that the front office was indeed trying to win now, yet others lambasted Antonetti as he essentially sold the farm for a player who seemed to carry some clear question marks.

Fast forward to 2012 and Antonetti’s approach could not have been more different. With their record at 50-53, many fans felt it was imperative that the Indians make a move if they were going to compete for the American League Central.

Well, the team made a move… But let’s just say it was not exactly the move that folks were hoping for.

Just as the deadline came to pass, it was announced that the Indians had traded promising knuckleballer Steven Wright for first baseman Lars Anderson. Lars who? Yep, that was general consensus from most Indians fans as well.

If anything, the move for Anderson was a slap in the face to Indians fans. Tribe fans were desperately hoping that Antonetti would pull the trigger on another big move like the year before, yet he instead landed a former top prospect that seemed to be nothing more than the next coming of Matt LaPorta.

Clearly, Tribe fans were less than enthused.

Of course, this season’s deadline was also different from years past. Make no mistake about it, this year’s Indians team is much better than the 2011 and 2012 versions.

With their record at 60-48, the Indians currently trail the Detroit Tigers by just two games in the American League Central. The Indians also currently own one of the two wild card spots in the American League.

Unlike the last two years, it does indeed appear as if this is a team that can compete for a playoff spot, and the numbers also seem to suggest that. Take a look at some of the team’s more impressive team statistics:

Runs Scored — 519 (Currently ranked third in the MLB)

OPS — .750 (Currently ranked fourth in the MLB)

RBI — 499 (Currently ranked third in the MLB)

As you can see, this is a team with some offensive prowess. Yet, despite all its ability, the Indians are clearly behind the Tigers in the Central, and they’re also stuck in a dogfight with the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles for the second wildcard spot.

Many had hoped that the Indians would approach this year’s trade deadline with an open mind. After all, it’s not as if this team is without its holes.

Designated hitter Mark Reynolds, for example, has hit just .173/.269/.234 with four home runs, zero doubles and 14 RBI since May 17. He has essentially handicapped the team, yet he has continued to get consistent playing time.

Similarly, the Indians have been unable to find a consistent left-handed reliever since the start of the season. Rich Hill, David Huff, Nick Hagadone and Scott Barnes have all been used at one point or another, and none of them have shown that they could be a consistent option.

Like the Indians, divisional foe Detroit and wildcard competitors Texas and Baltimore also have their fair share of flaws.

Given each team’s woes, it appeared as if every team would be making a strong push to rectify the situation before the trade deadline.

Of course, that’s only partially true.

The Tigers’ bullpen, for example, has been up-and-down all year, and the team also is dealing with the possibility that shortstop Jhonny Peralta could be suspended due to the biogenesis scandal. Detroit made a concentrated effort to address both issues as they acquired reliever Jose Veras from Houston, and they also acquired shortstop Jose Iglesias from the Boston Red Sox.

The questions that lingered just days earlier for Detroit seem to have now dissipated after the Tigers aggressively filled needs at the deadline.

Wildcard opponents Baltimore and Texas also had their fair share of issues to iron out before the deadline.

For instance, Baltimore’s starting rotation has been just abysmal this season. The team’s rotation currently sports a 4.65 ERA, which ranks 26th in all of baseball.

This team needed pitching help, and they managed to get it in the form of Scott Feldman and Bud Norris. Neither player is exactly an ace, but they do help shore up that rotation, so credit must be given where credit is due.

Similarly, the Rangers’ rotation has been somewhat up-and-down compared to previous years, so Texas made it a priority to acquire perhaps the crown jewel of the trade market, right-hander Matt Garza. Indeed, the price was steep, but the Rangers now have a legitimate guy with No. 1 stuff who can form a perfect one-two tandem with Yu Darvish. In the playoffs, teams need a strong starting staff, and the Rangers now have exactly that.

In comparison to the opposition, the Indians’ moves err... move was somewhat underwhelming. On Tuesday, the Tribe acquired left-hander Marc Rzepczynski, who is probably most known for his 2011 postseason where he played an integral role in the Cardinals winning the World Series.

The move was far from sexy, but it’s also hard to argue with the result. The Indians needed a left-handed reliever with the ability to shut down left-handed hitters. Well, Rzepczynski’s .224 average against left-handers is proof that he can be just that guy.

In all honesty, Antonetti’s approach to this year’s deadline is somewhat of a happy medium between the past two seasons.

No, he did not roll the dice and acquire a big name talent as he did two years ago with Jimenez, but he also did not insult fans’ intelligence by acquiring a no-namer like he did last year with Anderson.

Instead, Antonetti did the safe thing as he acquired a proven LOOGY, and he also dipped into the strength of the farm system by dealing young infielder Juan Herrera to make the trade happen.

There were also rumors that Antonetti was attempting to make other moves. For example, it was reported that the Indians were discussing a deal that would see them move Jimenez in a trade to acquire Norris.

Norris may have ultimately been a slight upgrade over Jimenez, but when all is said and done, it’s probably better that Antonetti avoided such a move. While Norris currently sports a 3.93 ERA and has a FIP of 3.87, his xFIP of 4.48 suggests that he may be somewhat lucky.

Furthermore, left-handed hitters own a .306/.365/.494 line against Norris this year. Those type of numbers are just not going to cut it against lefty-heavy lineups. Even with his ups-and-downs, it seems as if Jimenez remains the pitcher with the higher ceiling, especially when he’s able to command his stuff.

Regardless, the reality is that the Indians were relatively quiet this trade deadline while every team that the Tribe is directly competing with (Detroit, Texas, Baltimore) made big moves to try to improve their ball clubs.

In comparison, Antonetti decided to stand pat and give his team the biggest vote of confidence in the process.

So was standing pat the right move? Only time will tell, but sometimes it’s better not to mess with a good thing and let’s face it, right now the Indians have a very good thing.

Need some evidence? Take a look for yourself at the team’s numbers since the All-Star Break:

ERA — 2.17 (This currently ranks first in the MLB since the break)

Batting Average Against — .200 (This currently ranks first in the MLB since the break)

Runs Scored — 65 (This currently ranks fourth in the MLB since the break)

As the numbers above show, the Indians have more than just a good thing going right now — it’s a beautiful thing.

The Tribe is also in the middle of an eight-game win streak, and the team is now 12 games over .500 for the first time this season. Everything seems to be clicking for the Indians, and it’s clear that this is a team that is going to be in the hunt all the way through the end of September.

Confidence can do a lot for a team, and just watch the Indians play right now; there’s no doubt that’s one helluva confident ball club.

While the Tribe may not have acquired any of the premiere guys at the deadline like their opposition did, Antonetti may have instead acquired something else for his team — confidence.

The Indians already had a certain swagger in their recent play, and the team’s general manager just gave them an extra dose of confidence by essentially confirming that he believes this is a team that can be in it for the long haul.

Could Antonetti and the front office’s decision to not make a major move backfire? Sure, and we have seen that happen with many other teams in the past.

However, the one thing that cannot be denied is that talent and confidence makes for a dangerous combination.

User Comments

antonetti wife's boyfriend

August 3, 2013 - 1:19 PM EDT

Team chemistry is very important, it's definitely high on the ingredient list for "lightning in a bottle". But you can't ignore continual development/improvement for the sake of chemistry or the mix becomes stagnant and the lightning goes flat. That's why the Giants won the World Series last year and are in last place this year. I think Aviles right now is overall as good as Cabrera- no drop off in performance OR team chemistry. The Cardinals whose one glaring weakness was Kozma at short came to Antonetti for Cabrera w the kind of young pitching prospect that the Indians saw last night and will see again today- Carlos Martinez. That's a plus deal for both teams and Antonetti walked away from it. The Indians looked like a Single A team last night against the lowly Marlins- Asdrubal Cabrera and the chemistry did not help them.

Rick

August 3, 2013 - 12:33 PM EDT

Once again Shy is spewing like the drunk at the end of the bar after closing time; ready to argue with anyone after his keys were appropriately taken away.

Now instead of just buttoning up and taking a cab home - its vulgar posts about ACab and ShapAnt.

I have two minor beefs with ShapAnt - but even those are so minor comparing to the incredible run we have enjoyed by the Front Office and on the field.

First, living in AZ it was and remains painful to watch the Cubs (true coddling if their ever was some)handling of Hector Rondon. They are letting him mature in real time at the major level to ensure they don't loose this Rule 5 gem - and - they firmly believe he will be a #3 or even #2 in a couple of years.

We let him get away chasing the ghost of Chris Davis in Texas with the McGinny/McDade mistake.

Chris Archer (as another poster here corrected me when reminding we let him go to the CUBS and they messed up and let me go to the Rays) is a pass in my view - since Tampa is in a league of it's own when it comes to developing starters.

For a long time IBI was excellent at reporting the shortcomings of the F/O - in the minors and topside on the big league field. Well I for one think the Ownership deserves credit where credit is due - they have done an excellent job of sticking with ShapAnt and it's paid off.

I'm 54. And these past two years have yielded the best development since Hart stole a franchise kickstarter with Alomar and Lofton from the Padres - and - put Thome & Manny on the field.

As Norm notes - our small market club is routinely mentioned in the same breath - thus judged unfairly I believe - against the Detroits and Red Sox ect. That includes our minors operation - high praise indeed - and - well earned.

I am 110% glad ShapAnt resisted the temptation to go large and dramatic and just let the excellence playing take center stage.

And one last point of fact Shy. Yes Esmil Rogers is starting for the Blue Jays - but he is only out of the pen because after betting the farm when snatching up every failed Marlin of merit their starters have been decimated by injury.

So claiming a faux poo poo by Ant because he gave up a reliever whose been pressed into starting service in what has been a disaster season up north - for 'only' delivering Aviles and Gomes - (Who is the next Yardman Molina in my view) - even for you is a bit much tirade wise.

AS has been stated here by many in many different ways - we are enjoying an incredible run by ownership and the Front Office.

Homer

August 3, 2013 - 9:41 AM EDT

@ Rich,

You're right, as much as I am have been an advocate for trading ACab I completely understand why they didn't. It would have taken a dramatic overpay IMHO for them to do it.

Rich

August 3, 2013 - 8:54 AM EDT

Either Antonetti or Francona said something the other day about not wanting to mess up team chemistry. Trading your two-time All-Star shortstop when you don't have a legitimate starting SS to replace him in the middle of a pennant race is asking for trouble.

It tells the team you've given up on them this year, especially when you trade for a minor league pitcher when your starting rotation is the best in the majors this month.

I'm all for stockpiling young arms, and trading Droobs would have been the right move if the Tribe were sellers, but they're buyers this year, or if not buyers, at least shoppers.

Grady Sizemore

August 3, 2013 - 6:31 AM EDT

The tribe has a great thing going in Cleveland. Danny SaladBar with 5 perfect innings in AAA last night. Baueroutage has the stuff and so does Carrasco. One of those two will pan out, if not both. Combine that with the Master, Zmach & Kluber and we got a legit staff in the making folks. Playoffs or not this season, they still go Asdrubal thru next year and they will trade the sponger when Lindor is ready.
Goodnight everybody, I'll be here all week, be sure and tip ur waitress.

Hawaii

August 3, 2013 - 4:33 AM EDT

Rogers was a reliever and even Toronto viewed him as such, he has relieved 23 games, started 11 and his ERA is 4.36, even higher than UJ. Gomes did not make the ML roster initially because Marson is out of options and they wanted Gomes to continue to play every day. I am glad you have a bug in the Indians offices to know for certain the decision making process of the team.

shy

August 3, 2013 - 2:38 AM EDT

Norm, Esmil Rogers is now a starter for Toronto with an ERA of 3 something. Bauer is not a baseball player- he will never be successful in the majors and probably be totally out of the game in 2-3 years. Stubbs is a 4A outfielder. He got lucky w Gomes, obviously he put him in the same pot luck basket w Lars Anderson, Mike McDade and Chris McGinness, so one out of 4 on that- and even then he failed to recognize his talent and didn't give him a roster spot out of camp. Aviles and Raburn were personal recommendations from Francona. Antonetti would not have signed them if Francona had not asked him to.

Norm

August 3, 2013 - 12:18 AM EDT

I agree with Nathan. What trade is he talking about? Some fantasy of Shy's that no one can specify? And Antonetti is anal? This is the anal guy who got Bauer, Stubbs and two ML relievers for Choo and a spare Minor League IF. Or the anal guy who traded a spare RH RP for Gomes and Avila? Wasn't he the anal guy who signed Kasmir and Raburn?

Of course he is the same guy who signed Myers and Reynolds which shows that injuries will happen and you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. The trades he has made, as well as his other signings of the past year, appear favorable overall to the Tribe. Is Antonetti the one who is anal or is it the one all upset about an imaginary deal that never happened?

Willie

August 2, 2013 - 10:32 PM EDT

@ Rich S.,

I think you're right, the Tribe has made moves in the past after July 31st. So it's not over until the end of August.

Nathan

August 2, 2013 - 10:26 PM EDT

Shy - I bet you said the exact same thing about not trading Choo last July when they didn't

Rich S.

August 2, 2013 - 10:09 PM EDT

Don't forget that the Indians can still do something this month, although a little harder to make a trade. I still believe they will do something more.

shy

August 2, 2013 - 8:24 PM EDT

Not trading Asdrubal Cabrera was a huge mistake in my opinion and consistent with Antonetti's anal style. Hold on to crap, close your eyes and hope for the best. You have a guy who had one legit All-Star year when Orlando Cabrera was on the team and personally coaching him. He has been declining ever since. Injuries, brain fades in the field, strike outs, evaporating power. The Cardinals wanted him I don't know if they offered Carlos Martinez or not but as you can see from the young men pitching for the Marlins today Fernandez, or the Rays Archer, or the Mets Harvey or Wheeler, live arm young pitching is the name of the game going forward. I am not sure what Cabrera's problems are if they are physical or mental or both- Acta knew but he would never give the full details. Antonetti had somebody who really wanted him and wouldn't let him go. Next year he has no trade value. Wrong move Antonetti.

Norm

August 2, 2013 - 6:44 PM EDT

Well, I got what I wanted which was a LH RP and was not particularly concerned about anything additional. So I am a happy fan. The Indians stayed true to the limitations placed upon the franchise by its fans. Anyone can want more but the fact remains that Cleveland is being compared to franchises like Texas and Detroit who have twice the attendance. As a result, they have much more money to spend.

The failure to point this fact out is one of the shortcomings of a pretty good article otherwise.